What we reconstruct
- Lower limb: open fractures of the leg with exposed bone, heel and foot wounds, degloving injuries
- Upper limb and hand: see hand surgery
- Face: lacerations, bite injuries, fractures of the jaw, cheekbone, nose and eye socket
- Scalp: large scalp wounds and avulsions
- Nerves and vessels: repair under the microscope to save a limb or restore feeling
The approach
Trauma reconstruction works best when the plastic surgeon is involved early, not after weeks of failed dressings. At Jharkhand Charitable Hospital the trauma, orthopaedic, neurosurgery and plastic surgery teams work in the same building. The usual sequence is:
- Life-saving care and imaging in emergency.
- Wound cleaning and fracture stabilisation.
- Early soft-tissue cover with grafts or flaps.
- Physiotherapy, then later surgery for scars or function if needed.
Skin graft or flap?
| Skin graft | Flap | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A thin layer of skin, without its own blood supply | A block of tissue moved with its own blood supply |
| Where it works | Clean wounds with muscle or fat at the base | Exposed bone, plates, tendons or joints |
| Shrinkage | More | Less |
| Typical use | Large abrasions, burns | Open leg fractures, heel, scalp |
The same flap methods are used to close deep bed sores and non-healing diabetic foot wounds.
What families can do
- Cover the wound with a clean cloth and press on any bleeding.
- Don't push exposed bone back in, and don't apply turmeric, mud or pastes.
- Bring any cut-off part wrapped in damp cloth inside a sealed bag placed in ice water. See finger replantation: the golden hours.
- If a wound from an old accident is still being dressed after 3–4 weeks without closing, ask for a plastic surgery opinion.
Microsurgery
Dr. Vikrant's MCh training included microvascular surgery: joining arteries, veins and nerves 1–3 mm wide under an operating microscope. This makes free flaps, replantation of amputated parts and nerve repair possible.
Dr. Vikrant also published on soft-tissue coverage in head and neck cancer reconstruction, which uses the same flap techniques. See research.
Common questions
What is flap surgery?
A flap is a piece of tissue (skin, fat, muscle or bone) moved with its own blood supply to cover a wound. Local flaps are moved from nearby; free flaps are detached and reconnected to blood vessels at the wound under a microscope.
Why does an open leg fracture need a plastic surgeon?
When skin and muscle are lost over a broken shin bone, the bone and implant are exposed and at high risk of infection. Covering them early with a flap, ideally within the first week, greatly improves healing. Plastic and orthopaedic surgeons plan this together.
Who treats facial injuries and fractures in Ranchi?
Plastic surgeons repair facial cuts so they scar well, and fix fractures of the cheekbone, jaw, nose and eye socket. Dr. Vikrant does both at Jharkhand Charitable Hospital.
How long does reconstruction take?
Simple wounds are closed in one operation. Major injuries may need several stages over weeks: cleaning, stabilisation, flap cover and later scar or function surgery.
Is trauma surgery covered by insurance?
Accident injuries are covered under most health insurance policies. Bring the policy details and, for road accidents, the police report if one was made.
What is a degloving injury?
A degloving injury happens when a wheel or machine strips the skin off the deeper layers, like a glove being pulled off. The skin may look intact at first but has lost its blood supply. It needs early cleaning in the operating theatre and cover with a skin graft or flap.
Should a facial cut be stitched by a plastic surgeon?
Deep, long or jagged facial cuts, cuts through the lip, eyelid, nose or ear, and animal bites are best repaired by a plastic surgeon, in layers with fine stitches, so the scar is as faint as possible. Clean cuts should be stitched as early as possible, ideally the same day.
Further reading
- Ungli kat jaye to kya karein: pehle 10 minute aur ilaj
- Cut-off finger: how to save it for replantation
Last reviewed: 2026-10-29
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan. Results and recovery differ between patients. Prices are starting prices and are confirmed after examination.